Mystery Queen 2 Episode 16 (Final)

Detective Ha Wan Seung (Kwon Sang Woo) and Yoo Seol Ok (Choi Gang Hee) arrive and find the police at the scene where the dead victim’s boyfriend is behind the wheel. There is a will and charcoal in the car. Seol Ok declares this is EXACTLY how her parent’s bodies were staged. Team Lead Gye doesn’t believe her. Detective Ha does. Detective Ha declares Mr. Kim is behind this murder.

Cue intro…

The murdering student whines about being locked up again. Detective Ha’s brother (his lawyer) notes he committed a crime. The murdering student demands to speak with Mr. Kim. Then he threatens Mr. Kim (Mr. Kang) says he knows more than they realize.

Detective Ha’s brother walks out of the police station. He recalls the murdering student threatening to tell his brother the past he’s kept buried for so long.

Detective Ha reads the suicide note which the victim confessed to the crime. Seol Ok knows the note contains all the details for the crime he “confessed” to. Team Lead Gye wants Seol Ok to back off. Detective Ha counters that Seol Ok has experience with a past crime that is just like this one. Flashback to season 1 where Seol Ok tells Detective Ha the will found with her parent’s bodies wasn’t her father’s will. Team Lead Gye recalls the victim’s apartment had evidence laid out for the police to find. Profiler Woo arrives and ask if the victim committed the murder and then committed suicide. Seol Ok retorts the victim didn’t commit murder nor did he commit suicide. Profiler Woo agrees the suicide note is just like 11 years ago. Detective Ha asks if Mr. Kim is the instigator.

Seol Ok vows to catch the killer. Detective Ha tells Profiler Woo it is time for him to divulge the details about Mr. Kim. Profiler Woo confirms that fabricating evidence is Mr. Kim’s method. Seol Ok remembers that the handsome student and his friend planted a camera in the victim’s apartment. She wants to find the camera and the footage ASAP. She worries that if Mr. Kim learns of the hidden camera, he gets the footage first. Detective Ha drives to the victim’s apartment. Mr. Kim/Kang (who has Detective Ha bugged and was listening) is determined to get the hidden camera first.

Mr. Kim’s “fixit” man searches the victim’s apartment and finds the camera. He’s surprised when Team Lead Gye steps into the room. Team Lead Gye arrests him.

Does Detective Ha know who Mr. Kim is? Or does he only suspect Mr. Kang?

Detective Ha tells Profiler Woo that he has a friend that can ferret out any information. He removes the listening device from his jacket. Detective Ha tells Mr. Kang that he knows he’s listening. Detective Ha asks if he prefers to be called Mr. Kim. Detective Ha declares he knows that Mr. Kang used him and pitted him against his father by saying that Seo Hyun Soo’s death was related to his father’ s law firm. Detective Ha demands to know how a many he implicitly trusted could do this to him. Detective Ha throws the listening device out the window. Mr. Kim/Kang takes his headphones off. Seol Ok assures Detective Ha that you never suspect those that are like family. Detective Ha declares he knows where Mr. Kim/Kang is. He drives with purpose.

Mr. Hwang and Kyung Mi search for proof that the “fixit” man was at the recent crime scenes.

Detective Ha tells the “fixit” man he shouldn’t take the fall for these crimes that he didn’t commit alone.

The murdering student tells a reporter that he knows about a connection between Detective Ha’s brother and Mr. Kim.

Special food is delivered to the murdering student. He eats it with glee. An officer finds him dead in his cell. Chief Shin and his daughter watch the body loaded onto an ambulance. His daughter doesn’t understand how someone died eating sushi. Chief Shin realizes that Mr. Kim killed the murdering student. Mr. Kim calls Chief Shin. He won’t answer the phone. Mr. Kim/Kang doesn’t like that.

Detective Ha’s brother arrives at the morgue. Detective Ha tell his brother that someone is using him. The truth hits Detective Ha’s brother. He realizes that Mr. Kim killed the murdering student. Detective Ha says that Mr. Kim/Kang is the murderer. Detective Ha’s brother declares it is an acquittance. Detective Ha warns his brother that Mr. Kim/Kang is dangerous. His brother denies knowledge and leaves.

Detective Ha tells the “fixit” man the murdering student was killed at the police station, and the same thing could happen to him. The “fixit” man is forced to consider the possibility.

Unit 1 and Unit 2 search and seize documents. Detective Ha finds the long ago buried autopsy report of the taxi driver. He shows Seol Ok. She’s stunned and sobs that her theories about her parent’s deaths and the taxi driver were right. They were killed, they didn’t commit suicide.

Detective Ha apologizes for not realizing Mr. Kim was the mastermind. Seol Ok is grateful her parents are cleared of murdering the taxi driver. She misses them and cries. She wishes her parents knew they were exonerated. Sweetly, Detective Ha tells her she did well and pats her to comfort her. Seol Ok is grateful for his support.

Detective Ha finds evidence that the coffee shop owner is slated to be killed tonight.

Detective Ha’s brother meets with Mr. Kim who assures him he had nothing to do with the murdering student’s death. Mr. Kim promises him that he’ll protect Detective Ha’s brother so he can continue to do important work. Someone is watching the encounter.

I’m assuming the coffee shop owner is watching.

Detective Ha struggles to stay awake and drive to the murder location. He knows someone will be framed for killing the coffee shop owner but he doesn’t know who.

Mr. Kim tells Detective Ha’s brother that Detective Ha used to love a woman named Seo Hyun Soo 17 years ago but they were separated. Detective Ha’s brother asks why he needs to know this. Mr. Kim drops the bomb that Detective Ha’s brother’s girlfriend is the missing Seo Hyun Soo. He chuckles and retracts the information. Then he tells Detective Ha’s brother he must decide the truth for himself. Detective Ha’s brother reels for the reveal and leaves the room. Mr. Kim chuckles. He calls to the Seo Hyun Soo to show herself. She approaches with a gun in her hand. She shoots Mr. Kim/Kang! He falls to the floor!! She approaches the dead Mr. Kim. She tells him she’s supposedly dead and been hiding for 17 years, and now he’s the dead one.

Awesome!

A drugged Detective Ha arrives at the site. He aims his gun at Seo Hyun Soo. He sees who it is. He lowers his gun. Detective Ha and Seo Hyun Soo stare at each other. Detective Ha struggles to stay upright. Seo Hyun Soo cries. A man comes from the corner and shoots Seo Hyun Soo.

She falls to the floor. Detective Ha falls to the floor. The man (Mr. Kim/Kang?) stares at Seo Hyun Soo. He walks away. Mr. Kim/Kang removes his bullet proof vest as he strides away from the scene.

WOW, WOW, WOW! I’ve waited this entire series for a great scene. That was it! Mr. Kang is shot by Seo Hyun Soo. Detective Ha is framed. Mr. Kang shoots Seo Hyun Soo. Detective Ha can’t save her.My quibble is the drugging of Detective Ha and how he could drive (though impaired) but not save Seo Hyun Soo.

Seol Ok calls Detective Ha but he doesn’t answer. Seol Ok receives Detective Ha’s ring in the mail along with a note from the coffee shop owner that she found the ring while cleaning the shop.

Unit 2 discusses how Detective Ha found the murder plan for the coffee shop owner. The file smells like mustard. Corporal Kong doesn’t want to admit he was eating a hot dog with mustard when he delivered the files. Team Lead Gye enters and says he saw the file on the bottom of Detective Ha’s stack. They realize someone put the file on top of the stack. Chief Shin’s daughter reports the security footage only shows the team members and Chief Shin entered the room. Team Lead Gye recalls seeing Chief Shin outside the room yesterday.

Detective Ha’s brother cries as he stares at the coffee shop owner’s body in the morgue. He sees his mother’s ring on her finger. He recalls giving her the ring.

Profiler Woo, Seol Ok and Team Lead Gye realize Detective Ha’s tea was drugged by the person that handled the file. Profiler Woo wonders if the fingerprints of the culprit were left due to the mustard sauce. Detective Yuk stops Chief Shin’s daughter and she explains Mr. Hwang will analyze Detective Ha’s drugged cup. When Team Lead Gye calls to him, he runs. Flashback to everyone wondering if Detective Yuk is the inside man. Seol Ok wonders if the culprit’s fingerprints are on the bullet.

Mr. Hwang lifts a print from the bullet. He declares the Detective Yuk is the culprit. Seol Ok isn’t surprised.

Team Lead Gye finds Detective Yuk’s desk empty. He puts out an alert for his arrest.

Detective Ha visits the theatre where he saw Seo Hyun Soo and lays a bouquet on the stage. He remembers her performance and words of love.

Detective Ha’s brother calls Mr. Kim and asks to meet.

Detective Ha arrives at the police station. Everyone is happy to see him. Even Manager Jo. LOL when Corporal Kong gets rid of Manager Jo with a phone call.

Profiler Woo, Detective Ha, Team Lead Gye, Seol Ok and Kyung Mi stride down the street ready to catch the next batch of criminals.

My Thoughts

Good finale. Writer Lee wrapped up much and left the door open for another season with Mr. Kim/Kang still at large. How did things end up?
* Mr. Kim was revealed to be Mr. Kang long term friend of Detective Ha and former officer. He shot Seo Hyun Soo and framed Detective Ha. He was at large with Detective Suk (his new right-hand man) when the series ended.
* The coffee shop owner was revealed to be Seo Hyun Soo with plastic surgery. She “killed” Mr. Kim/Kang which was a brief albeit too short moment of satisfaction. Unfortunately, Mr. Kim/Kang had a bullet proof vest on and shot and killed Seo Hyun Soo. Her death scene with Detective Ha reaching out to her was the powerful moment in the series.
* The trench coat stalker aka murdering student was killed in prison when Mr. Kim/Kang poisoned his delivered food. It was never explained how someone so young knew about Detective Ha’s brother and Mr. Kim’s crimes.
* Profiler Woo told Detective Ha that the coffee shop owner was Seo Hyun Soo by not saying a word.
* The coffee shop owner (Seo Hyun Soo) returned the ring to Seol Ok via mail with a note.
* We never learned what crime Detective Ha’s brother committed that put him in the power of Mr. Kim/Kang and murdering student.

Detective Ha Wan Seung (Kwon Sang Woo) found and lost Seo Hyun Soo. You could argue she had to die so Detective Ha could finally move on. In this instance, I believe he could have lived with knowing who she was and not been stuck in a rut by that truth.

Yoo Seol Ok (Choi Gang Hee) figured out and solved the crime. Seol Ok is a smart loyal person. Her friendship with Kyung Mi in the latter half of this series was a positive.

How did I do on my wish list for the final episode?The MUST happen:* Mr. Kang is revealed to be Mr. Kim.GRANTED.* The blackmail he holds over Detective Ha’s brother and Chief Shin is revealed. NOT GRANTED.The MIGHT happen:* Seo Hyun Soo is revealed to be the coffee shop owner.GRANTED. I must applaud her for shooting Mr. Kim/Kang. Unfortunately his bullet proof vest ruined the effect.* Profiler Woo reveals his involvement.NOT GRANTED.* If Mr. Kang/Kim killed Seol Ok’s parents, let that be revealed to end that long-ago mystery.GRANTED.* Detective Ha and Seol Ok could recognize they should move from friend zone into a romance.NOT GRANTED but the possibility exists.

Final Thoughts. Writer Lee delivered uneven, unfocused episodes for a considerable stretch of the series. In the latter part of the series the plots tightened and episodes improved. Even so, not everything was clear. The door is open for a third season. I’m not sure I’d want to watch it.

Ranking the episode (on a scale from 1-10) had me rank this episode as terrific. My episode ranking chart is below.

I may have liked the OST more than the series. The 10th song of the OST is “Stay” by J-Cera. The 11th song of the OST is “Cannot Live Without You” by Monni:

11 comments on “Mystery Queen 2 Episode 16 (Final)”

For now, the only thing I’ll address is kjt’s concern about the drugged Det. Ha – I can see it unfolding that way because the first feeling of the effects of the drug wouldn’t be as strong as it was by that time (depending on the drug, I guess). Plus, if there is no S3, it let’s us imagine the Mystery Duo finally together. I don’t think I could fully imagine Duo together if I saw Det. Ha in a true Romeo & Juliet tragic pose with fingers desperately clasped with his one true love.

I have a zillion jumbled notes I took during the last 2 episodes but I need to sort thru them and delete the ones Jane Tilly already answered in the comments of episode 15.

I admit that if there’s a S3, I’ll watch, only to see if this S2 was a fluke of bad directing/ editing. Or if S1 was the fluke that everything worked so well.

But PLEASE LET ME APOLOGIZE for roping everyone into this mess. The first season is every bit as good as this one is bad. I’ve confirmed that by just trying to peruse S1 to clue me in on S2 and I’m hooked watching it again although I know there’s no satisfaction to be had in S2. S1 is just THAT good (the cases, the Duo’s interaction). What can I say about the bad recommendation? But I am really sorry. \_(ツ)_/¯

If not for the fact that I recommended it, I was tempted to drop it but felt too guilty since kjt had committed to recapping it. 💕💕💕 & 💐🌸🌹🥀 & 😗😙😚 to kjt gor recapping and Jane Tilly for watching S1 and filling in my memory gaps.

I admit that if there’s a S3, I’ll watch, only to see if this S2 was a fluke of bad directing/ editing. Or if S1 was the fluke that everything worked so well.
I agree that I’d be curious if S3 would follow the path of S1 or S2. With the same writer at the helm for both seasons, I wonder what direction was provided to change things and why?

But PLEASE LET ME APOLOGIZE for roping everyone into this mess. The first season is every bit as good as this one is bad.
There is NO NEED to apologize. I enjoyed several aspects of this series. It was not a bad series. It was uneven and struggled to feature cases that mattered in the overarching stories. Without watching season 1 my expectations were neutral while you had high expectations based on the solid first season. In the end you were more disappointed than I was in this series.

Color 🖍️ me 🎊surprised🎉 that Wan Seung 🕵️ figured out FCL 🍰 was SHS; was it her farewell soliloquy in the play what gave her away❓⁉️. I wasn’t he recognized her as FCL 🍰

When I saw Mr Kang AKA Secretary Kim shaking with anger when he spoke to the murdering punk, I wondered if this ungrateful twerp could be Secretary Kim’s undoing. I kept thinking if this ill-mannered twerp caused more trouble than he is worth, Secretary Kim may think that the punk would be better off dead. Then sho”nuf halfway through the episode, the punk’s mouth was shut forever. LESSON: Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

It was a sweet 🍭 moment when Secretary Kim’s minion was not only caught by Wan Seung 🕵️ using Kim’s listening device against him, the minion was NOT TL Bae❗ LESSON: Use you enemies tools against them❗

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for not turning season 1’s Team Leader Bae into Secretary Kim’s minion❗❗❗ I was also relieved Team Leader Gye was NOT the unit 1 mole. Sergeant Yuk’s bad attitude made him a likely suspect.

Why did Wan Seung 🕵️ give Kang Bo Gook a heads-up about knowing his identity as Secretary Kim; so Kim had time to clear out his 411 center❓⁉️. LESSON: Don’t warn your enemy, use the element of 🎊surprise 🎉❗

Why didn’t Wan Seung 🕵️ question where the plan to murder FCL 🍰 come from❓⁉️ Did Secretary Kim go after FCL 🍰 because he knew her identity as SHS or because she was getting close to Ji Seung 💼❓⁉️ I figured either Ji Seung 💼 or Wan Seung 🕵️ would be setup as her killer and it wasn’t looking good for Wan Seung 🕵️ when he showed up looking like he was drugged. Why didn’t Wan Seung 🕵️ bring backup ❓⁉️. Inspector Woo 🤓 would have been the perfect choice. LESSON: look a gift horse in the mouth; consider the source.

When FCL 🍰 shot Secretary Kim, I was screaming ✳️SHOOT HIM IN THE HEAD✳️❗ I KNEW Secretary Kim was not going to go down easy. LESSON: If you are willing to pull the trigger, leave no doubt by taking a head shot; this cost FCL 🍰 her life.

This ending was decent, but left me less than satisfied 😒.
🔹While we got our wish to have Secretary Kim revealed, Kim escaped justice along with his minion Sargent Yuk . . . Where is the justice❓⁉️
🔹Wan Seung 🕵️ was apparently exonerated, but it felt like we missed part of the investigation.
🔹What did Ji Seung 💼 decide in conjunction with Secretary Kim ❓⁉️
🔹I wanted to know if the person Ji Seung 💼 killed was the young woman that Seol Ok’s 🔎 dad was framed for; This seemed like a logical conclusion as Ji Seung 💼 had guilt about collateral damage from a frame job . . . DENIED ❗
🔹Well, we did not find out what Secretary Kim had on Chief Shin; It bothers me that Chief Shin was complicit in the execution of Mi Joo’s murderer and other cases without any repercussions other than guilt.
🔹 What did Inspector Woo 🤓 do to put him in the same boat ⛵ as Chief Shin
❓
🔹Wan Seung 🕵️ had a tragic resolution with FCL 🍰 aka SHS. It was poignant that he was unable to do anything but reach out to her as he passed out. I concur with KJT that I’m happy we did NOT have a Romeo and Juliet scenario; I also believe Wan Seung 🕵️ would have been able to get past her, if she had lived.
🔹I would have liked a year or two fast forward showing Seol Ok 🔎 and Wan Seung 🕵️ move out of the friend zone. What did Seol Ok 🔎 do with the ring 💍 that was returned by FCL 🍰❓⁉️

I was ASTOUNDED the ending was a setup for another season . . . What the H. E.🏒🏒❓⁉️ I wonder what drama genre we would get out of a third season . . . KJT wondered if we would get another turn around to good writing. That would be great, but I don’t think there will be a season 3.

“Why did Wan Seung give Kang Bo Gook a heads-up about knowing his identity as Secretary Kim; so Kim had time to clear out his 411 center.” Jane Tilly

I thought the exact same thing but then…so Sec. Kim would be around for season 3? (they’re delusional)

“Did Secretary Kim go after FCL 🍰 because he knew her identity as SHS or because she was getting close to Ji Seung?” JT

Why was Secretary Kim after SHS from the git go? (meaning in Season 1) and then why’d he kill anyone he thought might be her in S2?

And I agree, JT, that Seoul ok receiving the ring from SHS is less than satisfying what with Det. Ha not being sure, denying, or drunk when he decided to give it to Seoul ok. It was so fuzzy as to what his intentions were with him constantly saying “I bought it for someone else”, etc. That makes it less than welcome that his undying first love gave her approval by sending it to Seoul ok. Although that imagery could have been powerful IF Det. Ha’s intention or even if his conflicted emotions over his past and present love had been shown more clearly to us. But as it were, these two couldn’t even get proper flirting off the ground.

Why was Secretary Kim after SHS from the git go? (meaning in Season 1) and then why’d he kill anyone he thought might be her in S2?
Great question⁉️ I wish we knew the answer.

That makes it less than welcome that his undying first love gave her approval by sending it to Seoul ok….these two couldn’t even get proper flirting off the ground.
Sending the ring 💍 to Seol Ok at least brought closure to that plot point. Wouldn’t it have been better if she’d returned it to Detective Ha with a note to pursue the next phase of his life? The writer did a bait and switch when the Detective Ha and Seol Ok started out on the verge of romance, then had the ring misunderstanding which thwarted any romance stirrings after that.

Color 🖍 me 🎊surprised🎉 that Wan Seung 🕵 figured out FCL 🍰 was SHS
I was surprised they revealed it then and not when it happened.

Then sho”nuf halfway through the episode, the punk’s mouth was shut forever.
Mr. Kim did the world a favor.

I figured either Ji Seung 💼 or Wan Seung 🕵 would be setup as her killer and it wasn’t looking good for Wan Seung 🕵 when he showed up looking like he was drugged…When FCL 🍰 shot Secretary Kim, I was screaming ✳SHOOT HIM IN THE HEAD✳❗ I KNEW Secretary Kim was not going to go down easy
The bullet proof vest surprised me. But considering Mr. Kim’s law enforcement background it made sense. But it did disappoint.

Kim escaped justice along with his minion Sargent Yuk . . . Where is the justice❓⁉
The only justice is that Mr. Kim’s identity is known though having an mole in the police department only extends the possibility for further misdeeds. Weak justice indeed.

It was poignant that he was unable to do anything but reach out to her as he passed out…I also believe Wan Seung 🕵 would have been able to get past her, if she had lived.
The confrontation with Mr. Kim, the shooting, etc. was the best moment of episode. I felt something and was fully engaged during that sequence. The way Detective Ha reflected on her certainly gave me hope he could move on.

I was ASTOUNDED the ending was a setup for another season
I agree the writer left the door open should someone want pursue another season. The ratings averaged 7%, not dreadful but not that good either.

Don’t get me wrong, Mr Kim did find the world a favor in eliminating the murdering punk. I just couldn’t believe that someone who was so meticulous in planning his crimes would be so reckless to petulantly threaten his benefactor.

FCL 🍰 aka SHS confronting Mr Kim and her subsequent death was the most captivating part of the final episode.

What was the significance of FCL 🍰 wearing the ring she got from Ji Seung 💼❓⁉️ i got the feeling that FCL 🍰 cared for Ji Seung 💼. Did FCL 🍰 value the ring 💍 as a token of Ji Seung’s 💼 affections or because it belonged to Wan Seung’s 🕵️ mom❓⁉️. Ji Seung 💼 was shocked ⚡ to find out FCL 🍰 was SHS, but was touched to see that she was wearing the ring 💍 he gave her. I wondered if Ji Seung 💼 blamed Wan Seung 🕵️ for FCL’s 🍰 death . . . I do think we will ever find out . . . 절기 3 없을 것이다

I didn’t think the young pervert/serial-killer-to-be planned out anything very well. Or were you talking about someone else?

I don’t think Ha Hyung was touched but was totally shocked (see reason below) and I think FCL wore the ring to fool Ha Hyung (and maybe a little of the Det. Ha’s mother’s possession may have been in there too but mostly whatever scheme she had (also because of reason below) is why).

And here’s the reason: I still think, like you, that Ha Hyun’s mistake was he must be the one who “killed” SHS/FCL which would be why so much mystery surrounded her “death” as Secretary Kim and Papa Ha would’ve covered Ha Hyung’s involvement, especially from Det. Ha.

I just realized I haven’t gone thru all my notes to post here because there’s just so much unanswered questions and like you said, JT, there’s no way they’re getting a third season so I just haven’t felt like going thru my HUGE amount of notes on this series. You know I’d just be whining and complaining over every little thing and y’all would have to comfort and being me back from whining and wailing. lol

The pervert/serial killer became more organized with each attack, seeming to learn from his mistakes. I would have thought his hyung would have let him know about Secretary Kim’s deadly nature. Oh well, the world is better off without him in it.

“You know I’d just be whining and complaining over every little thing and y’all would have to comfort and being me back from whining and wailing. lol” -Beez.

Due to the plethora of unanswered questions and doubtful possibly of a third season (unless it had a season 1 feel, I’m not sure I would want to watch it), I’m more likely to commiserate 😠 than comfort.